‘I’m a Dermatologist and These Are Hands Down The Best Body Oils For Winter Skin’

Thanks to chapped lips and dry complexions, most of us are well aware of the toll that winter weather takes on our faces. But what about our bodies? It’s easy to slip out of the shower and right into an outfit (er: sweatsuit) without a second thought, but as the cold continues to nip at more than just our noses, it’s important to look out for the skin from our necks down, too. The fix? Body oil.

While lotions and creams have long been reliable staples, body oils offer a whole host of benefits that make them worthy of a spot in your routine. According to Stacy Chimento, MD, a Florida board-certified dermatologist, they lock in moisture better than most other body products (yes, even lotion) because the oils mimic the natural lipids found in our skin, and are more easily absorbed post-shower.

“A body oil will provide a protective barrier to the dry skin and keep your skin texture smooth, while lotion tends to evaporate and not give the same tactile textural improvement you’d get from an oil,” Loretta Ciraldo, MD a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and the founder Dr. Loretta Skincare, previously told Well+Good.  And if you really want to hydrate that winter-dry skin? Layer your body oil on top of your usual lotion, which will help seal in moisture and leave you with that “I totally just put on highlighter” effect. Now, keep scrolling for the eight best body oils worth treating your skin to all winter long.

1. Neutrogena Lightweight Body Oil, $14

For a lightweight pick worthy of your post-shower regimen, Dr. Chimento recommends this drugstore aisle staple. Thanks to sesame oil, which hydrates skin without feeling sticky, it’s become a cult-fave within the skin-care community. Rub it directly on damp skin after you lather and rinse, or dispense a few drops into the tub for a relaxing soak.

Shop now: Neutrogena Lightweight Body Oil, $14

2. MUTHA Body Oil, $104

This oil is just as hydrating as its packaging is beautiful. The seed oils it’s made with are harvested from the plant’s reproductive parts, which means they’re coming to you in their purest form. The oil is jam-packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, which immediately moisturize your skin and help to improve its barrier health over time.

Shop now: MUTHA Body Oil, $104

3. Bathing Culture Outer Being Face and Body Oil, $32

This anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich oil is perfect if you want a product that works on both your face and your bod. It’s made with a bouquet of different oils, plus squalane, which imitate the natural oils in your skin to allow for easy absorption that will never leave you feeling greasy.

Shop now: Bathing Culture Outer Being Face and Body Oil, $32

4. Indie Lee Sleep Body Oil, $45

With a blend of zen-inducing oils like lavender and Moroccan chamomile, this body oil is the perfect skin treat to apply before bed. The scent is meant to soothe your mind and body while the oils work to hydrate and calm skin.

5. Omorovicza Firming Body Oil, $79

Just a little bit of this product goes a long way, and it’s earned itself a slew of loyal fans thanks to how quickly it absorbs into skin. It’s invigorating scent—a blend of chamomile, geranium, and rosemary—is so beautifully aromatic that it can double as a hydrator and a perfume.

Shop now: Omorovicza Firming Body Oil, $79

6. Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil, $115

It’s no wonder this oil is used at spas around the world: a combination of olive, sunflower, and grape seed oils offer both hydration and antioxidant protection, and it doesn’t hurt that the bottle will look like a work of art sitting on your vanity.

7. Aba Love Body Tonic, $40

With a fragrant and hydrating blend of hazelnut, organic jojoba, and argan oils, this body tonic delivers moisture deep into your skin, helping to improve elasticity and bring out a lit-from-within glow.

Shop now: Aba Love Body Tonic, $40

8. Esker Uplifting Belly Oil, $75

For ultimate moisturizing power, the Uplifting Belly Oil from Esker, made with energizing lemongrass, ginger, and ylang ylang is the answer to all of your “What do I do about stretch marks?” prayers. It gently nourishes and hydrates the skin while also promoting elasticity and skin cell regeneration.

Shop now: Esker Uplifting Belly Oil, $75

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